Chess Game AI Project
Link to Github repository: https://github.com/eelviral/chess-app
For centuries, Chess has stood as a symbol of planning, tactics, and strategy.
In this project, I took my first steps into the world of AI through the classic game of Chess. Below, I will present the program’s capabilities and reveal the technical aspects that went into building this game.
Selecting Your Team
When you open the chess game, you're introduced to an interface that prompts you to choose your team.
If you choose to side with the black pieces, the board flips itself. If you choose to side with the white pieces instead, the board stays the same. It’s that simple.
The Chess Board
The chess board is powered by React.js and the chess.js library, the latter of which I used to make sure legal moves are guaranteed to stay accurate.
My initial attempts at this project did involve building a custom chess engine and board. But, to enhance code readability and debugging, I ended up going with a prepackaged solution with chess.js to create a bug-free experience for the player.
Chess Piece ‘Drag and Drop’ Functionality
This game uses a 'drag and drop' mechanism for moving chess pieces.
Powered by the ReactDnD library, this feature ensures that any piece movements are fluid and responsive. This feature is also made to be supported on both mobile and desktop platforms.
The AI Opponent
At the center of my chess project is the AI Opponent, which is powered by the minimax algorithm and hosted on a Django backend.
Hosting our AI on the server ensures game consistency, that the AI algorithm isn’t manipulated, and it helps to facilitate updates as soon as they’re made.
The Code
The Minimax Algorithm (with Alpha-beta Pruning)
Our chess AI utilizes the Minimax algorithm, enhanced with Alpha-beta pruning, to strategically evaluate its moves. This approach anticipates three moves in advance and chooses the most optimal path: the one that maximizes the AI's advantage while minimizing the opponent's.
Alpha-beta pruning refines this process by eliminating less promising move sequences, and it also speeds up the minimax algorithm in the meantime.
The code provided below illustrates this sophisticated yet efficient method.
Piece-square Tables
To enhance our chess AI's evaluation function, we utilize piece-square tables. These tables provide a matrix of values for each piece type, representing the strategic worth of occupying specific board positions. Depending on the game phase (e.g., opening, midgame, or endgame), certain squares are more advantageous for specific pieces.
These tables, when combined with individual piece values, offer a more refined scoring mechanism that guides the AI's decision-making within the Minimax algorithm. This ensures that not only the material but also the positioning of pieces are weighed, giving our AI a nuanced approach to the game, optimizing each move's potential benefits.
Progressive Deepening
In our chess AI, Progressive Deepening serves as a way for us to optimize the decision-making process. Instead of diving straight into a fixed depth in the game tree, the algorithm incrementally deepens its search.
Beginning at a “shallow” level, it progressively increases the depth until it reaches a predefined maximum. For each depth, the Minimax algorithm evaluates the best move for the given color. By examining moves at intermediate depths first, Progressive Deepening gives us early insights into good moves, potentially improving the efficiency of the search.
The ‘ChessGPT’ Teacher Bot
This project introduces the 'ChessGPT' Teacher Bot: an AI companion for chess enthusiasts. Whether you're navigating complex board positions or refining your strategy, ChessGPT stands by your side. With its capability to provide real-time board analyses, suggest optimal moves, and offer strategic insights, players no longer face the challenges of the game alone.
This bot is engaging, interactive, and ensures that every move you make is well-informed, turning the chess game into a collaborative learning experience when prompted.
The Complete Gameplay
Wrapping things up, I present a video demo that showcases the full breadth of the Chess Game's features. Aside from being a game, it's the embodiment of every concept and innovation discussed earlier.
Immerse yourself in the gameplay, and when you're ready to dive in, hit the button below. Let the match begin!